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After 58 Years In Japantown, SF Film Festival Moving To Mission District

KCBS_740 SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- For the first time in its 59 years, the San Francisco International Film Festival is changing locations from the city's Japantown to the Mission District.

The new Alamo Draft House stars in the Festival Village, with more established neighborhood gems like the Roxy, and the Victoria playing supporting roles.

The Castro Theater will host opening and closing nights.

"We have no intention of trying to alienate our existing audience; we love them. The program reflects the strengths they have been attracted to with us, but we also feel like there's a new audience to be found. And, so structuring our whole festival around the BART, and the Muni I think is essential," Noah Cowan, Executive Director of the San Francisco Film Society said.

Cowan added that the Society has offered residencies to filmmakers like Brooklyn, and Los Angeles to join the Bay Area's film scene.

More info on the 59th Annual SFIFF can be found here.

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